My First Calibration Seminar

Every year the USGA puts on a Calibration Seminar for all State & Regional Golf Associations that are responsible for administering the USGA Course Rating System™ in their respective territories.  It is a requirement of our license with the USGA that we attend at least one Calibration Seminar during the quadrennial period of our license. 

The purpose of “calibration” is to ensure that all associations using the USGA Course Rating System following uniform principles.  It is an important practice that ensures an accurate and consistent measurement process from one association to the other,

Each year, up to four people from a golf association are allowed to attend. With the USGA Handicap System being instituted throughout North America, there were also representatives from Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Among those joining me this year in Phoenix were volunteers Owen Osborne from Black Butte Ranch, Ron Clevenger from Portland and Gail Phillips from Eugene. As one of our team leaders, Owen has attended several calibrations while both Ron and Gail were attending their first seminars.  Both Ron and Gail will be team leaders this year.

Similar to how we often rate courses, participants at the seminar were divided into Men’s & Women’s teams.  Between Owen and Ron's experience, they scored behind only one other team, and that happened to be a team comprised of members at the course we rated. (Seasoned Course Raters know that you should not rate your home golf course).

In addition to Gail and myself, our Women's team included two ladies from the Kansas City GA and Leslie Wheeler from the Washington State GA. Collectively, our total experience was less than some of the individuals on other teams, many of whom had 20 years or more in the field. Despite our inexperience, we scored respectably….outside of our tree ratings that is!

It has been discussed quite often since I began learning Course Rating that trees are the hardest thing to assess. I have to learn that just because the trees in Phoenix are WAY smaller and easier to hit out of than our big, green, limbs to the ground Northwest trees, they still need to be assessed properly. Yes folks, we need to remember to respect all trees.

Here it is, almost two weeks later, and I'm still very excited about all we learned.  All said and done I learned two major lessons:
 
1. I have a lot more to learn
2. I know more than I thought I did.
 
This thing called Course Rating is a continual learning process. Even the most experienced Course Raters will agree that you can always learn something new.

Next in the Transition Zone, I will introduce you to my new best friend, Phred – our new laser measuring device.  Its really Phat!!

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